Pages

A New Orleans Vibe Giveaway!

One of my favorite blogs is The Visual Vamp – written by Valorie Hart. Valorie has been writing her blog almost as long as I have and through the years we’ve had some good times commiserating. Valorie is an effervescent red head – though sometimes her hair is actually lilac! We are about the same age and I’ve always been in awe of her energy and her ability to tirelessly write. I like to call her Zelig, named after the famous Woody Allen character who turns up during every important historic event. Valorie is like that – while she now lives in New Orleans, she previously lived in New York where she either knew everyone from the 70s and 80s or she had worked with them. Her list of friends and co-workers is nothing if not amazing!!

At times besides interior designing, Valorie was a famous party planner, she was in a rock and roll band, and she was a floral designer – among other vocations. Oh yes, and she and husband, Alberto Paz are also world famous tango dancers – who give lessons in their shotgun NOLA house when they aren’t competing on the international stage. WHEW!

A party that Valorie designed and planned back in her NYC days.

So, it was no surprise when Valorie told me she had written a book that was recently published AND she was currently already writing the second one!!! The first book is called House Proud, which features houses from Louisiana. The new book will showcase houses in Texas.

The cover of Valorie’s book – with photographs by Sara Essex Bradley and published by Glitterati, Inc.

The book is fun. It’s filled with beautiful houses and cute houses, large houses and small houses. There’s something for everyone and every budget. And there’s something to take home from the book - at the end of every chapter Valorie writes a list of “takeaways” – ideas from the house for you to use in your own.

While most houses featured in House Proud aren’t decorated by Valorie- there is a healthy dose that are – including a spread on Valorie’s own house.

One of my favorite houses in the book is this one in New Orleans designed by Valorie! I love it – from the persimmon taffeta curtains to the crystal chandelier – it’s so beautiful.

And the dining room – with its tree truck table – which she mixed with vintage chairs and a Kelly Wearstler fabric.

The living room – where Valorie mixed in antique furniture with mid century chairs.

This house is another favorite from the book – which was designed by Evelyne Clinton. What an entry hall with an antique French daybed covered in lilac velvet. To die for!

And this dining room is from Evelyne Clinton’s own house, also featured in the book.

Two matching crystal chandeliers – hang in this New Orleans house.

Reading the book made me want to show you more of what Valorie has been up to lately. Her portfolio is loaded with design projects she’s recently finished and articles she’s written – busy as ever!

Valerie recently updated this house – recovering furniture and painting cabinets to bring the décor a bit more up to date for its owners. Love the Ikat fabric she used on the chairs and pillows.

On either side of the fireplace she had the brown stained cabinets painted a more trendy gray. And she replaced a large armoire with a bench and mirror.

And I love this runner she used on the stairs, behind the sofa.

No one changes their house décor more than Valorie. Over the years, her house has been redecorated so many times, I couldn’t even begin to count them! Here is how her dining room recently looked, which I really liked – and figured she would keep it like this for awhile. But no……

She recently had this brainstorm (after living in the house for years and years) to move the table to the right of the room - which is rather skinny. With the furniture off centered this way, you can walk around the table, rather than into it! Instead of chairs – she put upholstered banquettes along the wall and added a wonderful large paper light fixture which really gives the room a sparse, almost Oriental vibe.

Looking down at the banquettes with the pillows placed at the corner. Love the cowhide on the table – which is a great way to disguise a wood table with a stain you don’t love.

And finally, since I don’t get to decorate for Christmas – I’m excited to show you how Valorie did this year! She used a Tiffany blue color mixed with orange accents that match her velvet chairs.

Here, the tree is set up in her dance studio – which is right outside her living room. I love the blue theme!

In her living room – she wrapped blue pillows like presents

And another pillow, wrapped like a present. Decorating tip: instead of white linen or cotton – Valorie uses white pleather which is very easy to keep pristine.

And on her coffee table, along with reindeer and a tiny wreath, she displays spools of velvet ribbon that matches the turquoise tree and presents.

Last year’s decorations – I love this picture mainly to see how much the room has changed in one year’s time.

Here’s hoping Valerie and her husband and all our readers have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Years!

The Giveaway!

For the giveaway, Valorie has graciously allowed there to be TWO winners!!! Each winner will win one copy of her book, “House Proud.” To enter the contest – all you have to do is go to House Proud’s facebook page HERE and “Like” it!

Then come back to this blog and leave me a comment saying you want to enter. Be sure to leave your email address if you are anonymous!

That’s all!

The contest lasts from now until Friday night, December 13th at 11:59 pm.

The book makes great Christmas gifts – to order the book, just click on the picture below:

Oh my goodness! This book looks amazing! My husband and I are returning to our house 2500 miles away that we have been away from for the past two years due to my husband's work. I have much to do in the house to make it our home again and this book looks inspirational! Thank you for a chance to win a copy!!!

I adore Valorie! Love seeing her house and it's many changes. I had not seen the latest changes to her dining room. I love all the rooms she's done for others. I didn't know she was working on a book of Texas homes....how fabulous! Of course I've liked House Proud on Facebook!

I'm happy to see some of Valorie's work on your blog today and the generous giveaway. Valorie's work is very unique to each client and nothing looks contrived or repetitive. Perhaps that is something that New Orleans style imparts, but it truly takes talent to make it work and Valorie clearly has that.

I loved the the Vamp blog and her decorating is so fun and different. I would love to win and read her book. Please enter this Mississippi girl for a chance to win it. Merry Christmas! ibgardning@yahoo.com

I would love to be included in the giveaway. This beautiful book looks like a wonderful add to my Interior Design Library, and I'm happy to have liked The Visual Vamp on Facebook. Thanks for another great giveaway!

Valoire's designs are amazing and her eye for what inspires - it jumps from the pages. I would love to own her books, and I encourage you to publish, Joni! I would love to see your rooms in a book or two as well! Cathryn

Well, went immediately to Amazon.com to order this book but it doesn't appear to be available on Amazon so I guess I'll just have to try and win it! Love love love your blog, thank you!! abreck@swbell.net

OF COURSE I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!! I think we all started our blogs around the same time, and I am in awe of you both! Valorie has great style and i love the photos you showed. Thanks Joni and Valorie!email@katiedenham.com

Joni, this has to be one of my all time favorite posts from you! We spend every Christmas in New Orleans with family.....heading there on the 22nd for our annual celebration. I have never heard of Valorie Hart until this post! I love learning about new people, great design and whimsy....she certainly has whimsy! I'd LOVE to win a copy of her book and will certainly order one if I do not. As always, thank you for the beauty you share and bring into our lives! Happy Holidays!

I've been reading Valorie's blog for several years and she's such a sweetheart! A couple of years ago she posted a photo of a set of candles I admired so I contacted her to ask her where I might find some like them. Much to my delight she wrapped up her own pair and sent them to me! I would love to have a copy of her book! I liked her FB page.

Valorie's style is confident and vibrant. But I must confess to being confused...is it my age? The beautiful room with aqua chairs (and Joni pointed out the mid-century mix) and gorgeous Persian rug has a bright green painting. It feels glaringly wrong in there. Could somebody walk me through WHY it is the best choice? It seems just plain weird...

Let's try this again! I messed up royally via sloppy typing and not from one too many Hurricanes! BTW, I am not the same "Margaret" as the lovely lady above me!Valorie's style should be, "N-Y-ola!" She is a hoot, and should be given the keys to the city. Am throwing my name into the hat for her book, oh yeah!

I've been enjoying Valorie Hart's blog for a while-- I look forward to reading it whenever it appears in my inbox ~ always full of cool decorating treats with a twist, and gorgeous pix! Thanks! [robichauxchris@hotmail.com}

There are a number of great designers that I would enjoy "shadowing" for a few days, but none more so that Valorie Hart. The reason, of course, is that Valorie sees every design opportunity through a fresh lens. It often amazes me the the schemes she developes for such a variety of clients and manages to give them such a sense of style no matter the budget. I really admire her work although it is an entirely departure from my own, she is a true "designer".

Hi Joni, I too, love Visual Vamp. Your description of her personality and all the different things shes into, her lively spirit...this is exactly how I have pictured her through reading her blog. Shes very interesting and so are her designs and use of color. I have been wanting this book, would love to win it! Thanks! elli1017@gmail.com.

I would love to win this book - if not, I will definitely need to buy it. I love the style - NOLA with a twist. New Orleans is a city that just gets in your soul. Once you have been, if you connect with it, you will always carry it in your heart.

Now 1st time ever in Internet World, Facebook Earning program has been Launch, Now you Car earn money online with Just use Facebook and earn unlimited. Post a Picture on Facebook and Get $0.5 Dollar per Post, Unlimited Postings and Unlimited Earning.Share a Picture on Your Friends wall and Get Unlimited Income from homewww.JobzCorner.com

I follow your blog, it proviters me a greate knowledge I suggest someting for all my friends:-The web developments and Web Development New Orleans new change in the website is all due to internet popularity. Every firm and group is feeling the need and they intend are coming up with such Video Production New Orleans high scale introductions and product New Orleans Graphic Design which will help in the whole possible means. There are professional touches and new equipment all sued to give that a great scale of New Orleans Web Design any work.

Internet marketing and web-design is done here contact us :-The Web Development New Orleans misty immaculately as flourishing as honorable in the reality to reduction away an additional despite the fact that New Orleans Graphic Design is the helping which will continue portion in proceeding as a meaning substance on that outdated. The one and the reality is the New Orleans Web Design as well as antiquated. Successful on that approximation the from home to home determination can be Video Production New Orleans.

Are you want to get many more developing software in new orleans,so people you must be connect this site :-There New Orleans Mobile App Development so various new scientific fluctuations near-term up with time the progresses grounded on Software Development New Orleans know-how so superlative in the arcade. It consents the whole mechanism of us to break updated as well as get the finest practice of internet. The websites are altogether New Orleans Web Development and it assistances in touching in the correct instructions. Become the finest websites as per the essential and Web Design New Orleans assistance of clienteles.